Italy international Mattia Caldara will be out of action until at least December after undergoing ankle surgery, his club AC Milan said on Monday.
Milan said that Caldara's "recovery timeframe is estimated to be around three months" after successful keyhole surgery.
Coach Stefano Pioli said ahead of Saturday's 5-1 thumping by Inter Milan that he expected Caldara to be ruled out "for some time" due to his ankle problem.
🚨🏥 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Mattia Caldara is OUT for 3 months. pic.twitter.com/cNfUPCPs9q
— Milan Matters (@MilanMatters) September 18, 2023
Caldara, 29, who has two Italy caps, returned to Milan this summer after two years on loan at relegated Venezia and Spezia and is yet to feature this season.
The youth academy graduate had been a surprise inclusion in Milan's Champions League squad, despite the club trying to offload him in the summer, due to rules on home-grown players.
Milan face Newcastle United in their opening Group F match on Tuesday evening at the San Siro.